Yesterday my family had the whole building over for dinner. About 35 people. [Yes, parents always wait for children to be home to do these sort of things!]
I offered to make Sangria [well, my version of Sangria]. It is a great drink, easy to serve and always does well.
I make two large bowls of the drink. The colour was deep maroon, the fruit was fresh and the alcohol had just the right kick. My dad was really excited to serve it.
‘May I offer you a glass of Sangria – this Spanish drink that my daughter has made for today?’ says my dad to the first set of guests that arrive.
Here I need to mention the fact that they were all Indian couples, with children.
A blank stare with ‘what is it exactly?’ were a majority of the replies. My dad has the gift of the gab, so quite effortlessly he managed to thrust a glass to everyone who wanted an alcoholic beverage.
Once they had the glass in their hand – the whole taking-a-sip-from-your-glass equation took new meaning.
First they look at it quizically. Something red with bits in it. Then they smell it. They they realise it has fruit in it and wonder – is this a drink or desert?
They can’t throw it, nor leave it on the table and ask my dad the bar tender for another drink, so they forcefully take a sip with an expression that says ‘what’s this fruity pink thing I’m drinking on a Friday night, where’s the whisky!?’
You’d think they’d atleast finish the meagre glass full that they were given but leaving it on the table for an extended period of time seemed like the better option. However, some of them actually did drink it all; infact they drank the glass so quickly that all the fruit remained in the glass and then they asked for forks to eat the fruit (!). And nobody asked for a refill.
What a disaster!
hehe, I am not surprised with Sangria not going down well with desi’s. For that matter, I have never understood the if there is something like “Indian taste of alocohol”. I have been embarassed enough in UK when my angrez friends used to laugh that the Indians drink whisky in summers!!! and something like sangria…well lets start with plain vanillared wine to begin with. bottomline – its not ur fault and I know that you know that. I have been in similar situations, I never made one, just suggested a new found drink to desi’s just to receive a blank look and at times had to drink their drink so that they cold have their regular drink.
Creo que es complicado preparar un plato o bebida “importados”. Me explico. Fuera de su contexto, pierde gran parte de su atractivo. No es lo mismo tomarse una sangría en la terraza de un bar con unos amigos EN el pais de origen, que tomársela en una fiesta en la que nadie sabe ni siquiera qué es ni está rodeado de la atmósfera adecuada. Cuando estuve en Estados Unidos, una vez cociné tortilla de patatas y pan con tomate para mi “familia” americana y también fue un desastre. El aceite no era el adecuado, el pan tampoco, y todo les parecía raro. “you put oil in it???” era una de las preguntas que me hicieron, con cara de incredulidad. También probé con el turrón en Navidad, pero les pareció demasiado dulce.
Fuera de contexto!!
You are both right. I was planning to make paella at home for my parents, not sure if I even want to do that!
Es mejor dejar cultura de un pais, en aquell pais!